iTunes Editors’ Notes

Still sailing on waves of dreamy guitar feedback after 30 years, The Choir reach a career highpoint with Shadow Weaver. Founding members Derri Daugherty and Steve Hindalong have matured with exceptional grace over the decades, drawing on their life experiences to create music that embodies a thoughtful brand of Christian faith. Their latest work revels in thick sonic washes and pastel tones that underscore the fine details of Hindalong’s lyrics. Tim Chandler’s propulsive bass and Dan Michaels’ echoing horns add energy and definition to the ambient textures of the tracks. Framed by two variations on the album’s brooding title tune, Shadow Weaver offers glimpses of the sacred with a refreshing lack of preachiness. The ominous insinuations of “What You Think I Am” and “White Knuckles” contrast with the compassionate portraiture of “We All Know” and the inclusive vision of “Everybody’s Got a Guru.” Expansive meditations like “The Soul of Every Creature Cries Out” find balance in small-scale spiritual vignettes like “The Antithesis of Blue.” Dougherty’s angelic lead vocals are at once otherworldly and deeply human. If Shadow Weaver leans toward the melancholic, it’s a beautiful sadness that can melt the hardest heart.

Customer Reviews

Biased much?

by
buckeye007

Funded by their loyal friends and listeners, the boys were able to focus on the writing, arranging, recording over several months. Arguably their best album to date. At least as a whole cohesive project. Sonics are top notch thanks to Julian Kindred's mixes done in London. Do yourself a favor - find 56 minutes where you can put on some headphones to listen in private, tune out, turn on and silence your cell phone. This epic adventure now belongs to you.

Reinvention

by
Ronnie C.

I've been a fan of The Choir since the early days when they were affectionately known as Youth Choir (circa 1980s'). Derri and Steve have masterfully put together a collection of songs that are uniquely different and yet very much in-line with the character and feel of previous studio offerings. 5 out of 5 stars!

Instant Classic

by
BryFraz2011

The Choir has hit an incredible stride over the last several years, creating a series of albums that are instant classic. I have been a Choir fan for nearly 30 years, and must say that Shadow Weaver ranks among my favorites already.

Melodically, Derri excels. There are a ton of memorable hooks. It won't take long for you to start singing along and have lines stuck in your head. His guitar work moves from gentle to sonic with ease, as Derri has done for so many years. Derri's unique voice always adds the velvet- even to an aggresive guitar backdrop.

Lyrically, Steve is at his best. From "Get Gone": "before they set on fire this bridge I’m standing on. before they cut a hole in the net I’m landing on I’m gonna climb down into this cannon after I put my clown suit on, I wanna get gone." Steve writes lyrics that are sometimes straight forward, and at other times shadowlike and mysterious- much like the sound that The Choir creates.

Many of the songs were cowritten by Mark Byrd, and his swirling fingerprints are laced throughout, with his wife adding some sweet backing vocals in spots.

Add to this Tim's great bass lines and Dan's instrumental textures- you have an absolutely amazing album that is solid from top to bottom.

If you are a Choir fan, you will LOVE it. If you're not familiar with the band, this is a great place to jump in than make your way through their deep back catalogue.

5 out of 5 stars. With ease.

Biography

Formed: 1984 in Nashville, TN

Genre: Christian & Gospel

Years Active: '80s, '90s, '00s, '10s

With their origins in Orange County, California, and their current incarnation based out of Nashville, Tennessee, atmospheric alt-rock outfit the Choir have undergone their fair share of changes throughout their long career. Formed in 1984 under the moniker Youth Choir, and built around the distinctive playing of guitarist and vocalist Derri Daugherty, the evocative lyrics of drummer Steve Hindalong, and the inventive, ambient post-rock flourishes of guitar player Marc Byrd, rounded out by saxophone...